In recognition of their actions for animals, actors Riteish Deshmukh, who is vegan, and Jacqueline Fernandez are the latest stars to win the title of Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrity from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.
Using her massive star power to advocate for the protection of all animals, Fernandez has rallied her fans to support PETA India’s work in numerous way, including the #FreeGajraj campaign following which an elephant who was kept in chains for more than 50 years was rescued. Fernandez has also encouraged people to adopt dogs in need from shelters, eat vegan foods, starred in an ad campaign against the use of angora wool and asked people to avoid horse-drawn carriages. Deshmukh promotes vegan eating and even co-founded a vegan meat company with his wife Genelia. The company, Imagine Meats, has previously won PETA India’s Best Vegan Meat award for its tasty “chicken” nuggets.
“From acting to animal rights activism, Jacqueline Fernandez and Riteish Deshmukh have proven to be real superstars,” says PETA India Vice President of Celebrity and Public Relations Sachin Bangera. “PETA India is delighted to honour them for showing the world that kindness to animals is the most beautiful quality of all.”
Past winners of the title (known as the Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity Award until 2020) include Zeenat Aman, Jackie Shroff, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Rajkummar Rao, Alia Bhatt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar, Shraddha Kapoor, Sonu Sood, Manushi Chhillar, Sunil Chhetri, Anushka Sharma, Kartik Aaryan, Vidyut Jammwal, Shahid Kapoor, Rekha, and Amitabh Bachchan.
